Making referrals: a guide for foundation doctors.

Junior doctors rotate through different specialities as part of their foundation and early speciality training. One responsibility commonly shared by all specialities at all levels is that of making and receiving referrals. According to the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice, a referral is defined as: 'transferring some or all of the responsibility for the patient's care, usually temporarily and for a particular purpose, such as additional investigation, care or treatment that is outside your competence' (General Medical Council, 2009). Evolving patient needs may necessitate the handing over of care to a different speciality or hospital which is more suited to deal with the problems at hand. This forms the basis of a hospital referral. For those early in their medical careers, this can be a daunting task. Although there is no substitute for practical experience, this article gives a simple guide to help you through the process of making a referral in a hospital setting.